by Max Marbut
Special to the Daily Record
Frances Bartlett Kinne was honored as the 2005 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Tuesday in a luncheon at the Hyatt downtown. The award was in recognition of more than 40 years of philanthropy and civic leadership and her contributions to education, the arts and health care.
She was the first woman to serve as a college president in Florida, at Jacksonville University, and serves on the boards of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Mayo Clinic and others.
Kinne thinks philanthropy is contagious. “It’s like measles,” she said, “it’s catchy!”
Her appreciation for the importance of giving to others began at an early age. “I remember just before my birthday party when I was 5 years old, my parents sat me down and explained that I was going to receive some gifts that day. They told me that I had to say or write something nice to each person who gave me a gift.”
Since then, Kinne has developed her own philosophy.
“I call it the three Ws,” she said. “Whether it’s wealth, wisdom or work, everyone has something they can contribute. I learned a long time ago that life is not about us, it’s about others. Everyone ought to be giving back to society the gifts we have been given.
“Each one of us has different DNA. You just have to discover what you can do better than anyone else.”